The man accused of the brutal murder of 14-year-old Likhona Fose has been granted bail by the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court. Mduduzi Trevor Mnisi, a 39-year-old parolee, was released on R5,000 bail after the court found insufficient evidence directly linking him to the teenager’s disappearance and murder.
Likhona, a former student at Ikusasalethu Secondary School, went missing in May. Her body was discovered mutilated the next day in a case that deeply shook the communities of Braamfischerville and Durban Deep.
Mnisi, who was reportedly last seen with Likhona on the day she vanished, has consistently denied any involvement in her death. He has a criminal record, having previously served time for robbery and attempted murder. He is currently out on parole for those offences.
The State had argued against bail, citing Mnisi’s past and a witness statement alleging he was seen with Likhona shortly before she went missing. However, during his bail hearing, Mnisi’s girlfriend, Pinky Gantso, testified that he was with her in Daveyton on the night Likhona disappeared. This alibi was supported by cellphone data presented in court, which tracked Mnisi’s location to Daveyton and later to Kagiso on the same evening.
In his own words, Mnisi told the court he had travelled to Daveyton on that Saturday and only returned later that night. With the defence highlighting the lack of solid evidence, the court decided to release him on bail.
Although the State opposed bail, it has since accepted the court’s decision. The case is expected to return to court on Friday, July 11, as investigations continue.
This case has left a community in grief, still searching for justice for a young girl whose life was tragically cut short.